“But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts,” Middlemarch by George Eliot

Reflection questions:

• What are the long-term impacts that your capital campaign will have on your community?
• If you are not in a capital campaign yet, what greater impact could your mission have on the community with a bigger or better suited space?

Reflection on quote:

Did you know that the largest capital campaign completed in 5 years was for $9.6 billion that’s billion with a b through Harvard University? That number is astounding to me. And, yet, in my opinion when a small nonprofit raises $10 million to build a new home for their services, that campaign will have a deeper and more lasting impact on the lives of the client they serve in their small town. Across the United States right now, I know that Boards and Executive Directors are planning capital campaigns and their work is hidden from view of major fundraising journals because those campaigns will never begin to approach the records.

The capital campaigns being planned in small towns and rural area are dependent on unhistoric acts; however, the impact is greater than the record breaking campaigns. How? Our capital campaigns bring a greater percentage of the community together to solve a common problem or to create something new and good. Our campaigns grow the giving muscles among donors who expand their generosity to meet the greater vision for the community. Once built, the new programs offered in the new space serve a greater ratio of the community. The change in the daily lives of our communities is easier to see. Capital campaigns truly strengthen the fabric of the community and that strength has positive impact on donors, community members, and other nonprofits for decades.

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To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit ServingNonprofits.com.

Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

"...But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts..."

Reflection question:

• where are you comparing your work with urban fundraising?

Reflection on quote:

You’ve just googled capital campaign and now you are overwhelmed. How do I know that? Because I’ve talked to clients just like you. I have found that many capital campaigns in small towns and rural areas are launched out of necessity: your building is too small to serve increased need, your lease can’t be renewed, or your building was damaged. In these moments of necessity, it’s easy to be overwhelmed with the prospect of a capital campaign and wonder if a campaign is even possible in your area. As you google capital campaigns, you see the news of $100 million raised for one campaign and over 4,000 donors to a different campaign. You sit with a question: Are there enough donors who live in our community that would be able to fund our $5 to 10 million project? In that moment, it’s easy to fall into the scarcity mindset. Yet, I have found that rural generosity is deeper and more expansive than expected.

Your campaign might not be historic from a national perspective; but your campaign can succeed and will grow the good in your community. From working with nonprofits in towns of 300 up to 100,000, I have experienced the beauty of rural generosity firsthand. It’s the donor who quietly gives an unexpectedly large gift, it’s the donations of grain or cattle contracts, it’s interconnectedness of relationships, it’s the resilience of committed volunteers who won’t quit until the project is funded. There are hidden gems in our small towns and rural areas that no urban capital campaign can replicate. In this season of Reflections on Generosity, we’ll explore what makes rural giving so powerful: the relationships, the creative gifts, the volunteers who don’t quit, and the donors who surprise you. Every week in these 5 minute episodes, you’ll hear a quote to inspire you, an insight to encourage you, and a reflection question to ground you for the week to come.

This work has entered the public domain.

What do you think? Send me a text.

To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit ServingNonprofits.com.

Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

As we wrap up Season 4 of this podcast, we're re-airing one episode from each of our nine series—a chance to revisit the foundational wisdom on capital campaigns, from navigating uncertainty to leading with integrity. Next season, we're turning our attention to the specific context of rural giving, exploring what makes small-town fundraising different, how deep relationships shape generosity, and how to build capital campaigns that honor the unique dynamics and constraints of rural communities.

Episodes in the Leading with Integrity series:

What do you think? Send me a text.

To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit ServingNonprofits.com.

Music credit: Woeisuhmebop